Review: Robins #6
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers:Â Tim Seeley
Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr
Letters: Steve Wands
Artist: Baldemar Rivas
Reviewed by: Carl Bryan
Summary
“I raged at her. She had used the weapon of the enemy. Killed in cold blood. I couldn’t accept someone like her.” – Bruce Wayne/Batman
Robins #6 – The games are over and Jenny Wren’s traps have finally sprung around the Robins! Can the teen wonders unravel the truth behind Jenny’s connections to Batman- or will the true first Robin finally rip apart the Bat-Family once and for all?
Positives
Issue #6 provides the mystery of Jenny Wrenn solved. Arguably, this is has been an interesting Batman and ROBINS story as we are treated to all of the characters that have held the Robin mantle (Where does Carrie Kelley mix into this?). To see them team up together to solve this tragic mystery is pretty awesome.
It is also a testament to Tim Seeley’s story telling in that it imagines a revenge factor of what the first Robin retrospectively is trying to do to set free all of the Robins. What could Batman do without his family, his Robins? That is the question that drives Jenny.
The back story to Jenny and Carmac Dodge gives readers an insight to Batman as he was in the infancy of his career. The frames of Jenny taking matters into her own hands as Bruce is adamant that his rule about guns is followed. Raw…simply raw. This story brings to light what happens when children are manipulated for an adult’s motives…no matter how altruistic, the Robins were children. This is a tough read from a psychological standpoint. Well done Mr. Seeley!
Positives 2.0
Baldemar Rivas’ art continues to be celebrated. His nuances with the Robins…the frames..the landscapes. The splashes of color (Kudos to Romulo Fajardo Jr.) in all the right places. Great job in how simple yet complex it can be!
Negatives Â
Not a negative but a bit of a warning per se. To sew this story up into a test for all the Robins to prove themselves they can work together without Batman literally cheapens the story a bit. Given the heaviness of kids and adult manipulation, this is deserving of some DC Black Label. Arguably, it is darker than a Joker story.
Verdict
Batman has more layers than imaginable. How can so much history fit itself into one character? In comics, anything is possible. However, this story can be enjoyed on the surface as a Batman and Robins team-up adventure or you can grab a snorkel and find some deeper meanings here. Enjoy based on your own taste!
